Turkish Ambassador Donates Rare Historical Books to Great Cairo Library

Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Şen visited the Great Cairo Library, also known as Princess Samiha’s Palace, where he toured its halls and learned about its vast collection and cultural activities. He was received by the library’s director, Yahya Riyad Youssef, who explained that the institution houses around 120,000 books in Arabic, English, and French.

During his visit, Ambassador Şen presented the library with a selection of significant works, accompanied by a personal message. These included:

Three Centuries: The History of a Family in Turkey and Egypt by Amina Fouad Tugay, niece of King Fouad, recently published in Egypt with the Ambassador’s support.

Islamic Monuments in the Ottoman Era, published in Istanbul by IRCICA under the patronage of Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu.

From the Banks of the Nile to the Bosphorus, a bilingual Turkish-English work on the life and cultural heritage of the Muhammad Ali dynasty between Istanbul and Cairo.

Remembering Ottoman Egypt: Ottoman Consciousness in Egypt, an English-language doctoral thesis analyzing the Ottoman legacy in Egypt.

Turkish Cuisine with Centuries-Old Recipes, exploring Turkey’s rich culinary traditions.

The Ottoman State: History and Civilization, another IRCICA publication.

The Turks in Egypt and Their Cultural Heritage by Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, a key contribution to the understanding of shared Turkish-Egyptian history and figures.

Among People by Mehmet Arif Pasha, published in Ottoman Turkish, chronicling the lives of Muhammad Ali Pasha and Ibrahim Pasha.

History of Egypt in the Ottoman Era, published by IRCICA.

In total, sixteen books were donated, covering a wide spectrum of history, culture, and heritage.

Director Yahya Riyad Youssef expressed deep gratitude for the Ambassador’s generous contribution and guided him through various sections of the historic palace, which is carefully preserved as both a heritage landmark and a cultural hub. He highlighted the library’s diverse monthly events and extended an invitation for the Ambassador to participate in future activities.

Ambassador Şen welcomed the invitation and affirmed his readiness to support and engage in the library’s cultural initiatives, further strengthening the long-standing cultural ties between Egypt and Turkey.